Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stressed the importance of adopting healthier habits to safeguard the future generation.
She highlighted the need to eliminate the use of polythene bags for carrying food and plastic cups for hot beverages. Additionally, she urged the public to wear masks, given the current environmental challenges. Maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring adequate sleep, she said, are essential to preventing diseases.
"If we change our habits, we won’t need to worry about illnesses," she remarked while addressing the closing ceremony of the "Health Olympiad and Online Quiz Competition 2024" as the chief guest.
The event, held on Friday at the Abdul Karim Sahityabisharad Auditorium of the Bangla Academy, aimed to raise health awareness among school students.
Rizwana Hasan also emphasised that a nation’s health depends on the well-being of its citizens. "Tuberculosis is no longer a significant issue, but awareness remains key. Knowledge empowers us, and competitions like this play an important role in promoting health awareness among students."
The event was presided over by Matiur Rahman, Editor of Prothom Alo. Other notable attendees included Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of the Directorate of Health Education; Samina Chowdhury, Team Lead at USAID; Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of ICDDR,B; Dr. Md. Jahangir Kabir, Program Manager of the National Tuberculosis Control Program; and Saira Banu, Senior Scientist at ICDDR,B.
Around 550 students from various educational institutions across the country participated in the Health Olympiad, jointly organized by ICDDR,B and Prothom Alo, with support from USAID. Prizes, certificates, and trophies were awarded to the winners at the ceremony.
